Well, I ALWAYS follow it with hope. . sometimes the dialogue needs to be followed a little further than the initial post in which I break the terrible news.
But I have found, from my personal experience, that the news has to really sink in before the message of hope is effective.
I never tell anyone they will die. I tell them that it is the most probable. This comes from my experience, as well as historical fact. To leave this out is a lie by ommission.
Again. . . I
NEVER stop there. . . Granted, some may choose to not face the truth and high tail it before I get the chance to follow up, but I always present the solution.